Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America introduces the Cyber Chip. In developing this exciting new tool, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training expert for many law enforcement agencies.

Netsmartz® has created a Scouting portal showcasing Cyber Chip resources, including grade-specific videos, for each level (Grades 1 through 12). Check out the CYBER CHIP PROGRAM here. The Cyber Chip can be earned by any youth in the BSA’s programs. Material is tailored at each level for age-appropriateness. (Cub Scouts—Grades 1–3 and 4–5, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts—Grades 6–8 and 9–12.) Topics include cyberbullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, and identity theft. Cyber Chip Resources.

News of Interest

Youth in Naperville’s Cub Scout Pack 444, chartered by Meadow Glens Home & School Association, spent the month of December demonstrating the leadership and character traits Boy Scouts is known to develop. Scouts in this pack spread joy and good cheer to a group of elders and held a very successful drive to stock Loaves & Fishes Community Services’ (Naperville) food pantry.

On Sunday, December 9, Pack 444 scouts led a Christmas carol sing-along for the residents of Villa St. Benedict retirement community in Lisle, Ill. The caroling performance is a long-standing annual tradition for both groups, dating back at least a decade.

TIME TO PAY YOUR 2019 DUES! Pay your 2019 Dues online. You have 2 choices for paying your 2019 dues. The regular 2019 member dues is $20. The 2019 Annual Member dues is $90. This includes your $20 dues, plus 4 discounted event fees and patches for 2019 (Winter Banquet, Friendship Powwow, Spring Fellowship, Fall Fellowship) and special Annual Member patch.Transfers from other lodges to our Lodge can also be done ONLINE on our website. Just give us your former Lodge name or council when you pay! There is no cost to transfer your membership. You can do so by paying the 2019 dues, and then just tell us your former lodge or council name. If you know the year that you did your current membership honor, then that would be useful too.